charity shops, Christian Church, Christian faith, Oxfam,
Throughout February, all 36 full time and part time UCKG HelpCentres across England and Wales will be collecting saleable goods for Oxfam. The aim is to help both the victims of the Haiti earthquake and people who are in equally dire need in many other parts of the world.
“We’ve arranged to support Oxfam through a massive collection operation to raise as much money as we can and get help efficiently to people in great need,” said Bishop Pierre Dessaint, who heads this Pentecostal church in the UK.
“We are asking our church members as well as the general public to rummage through their wardrobes and cupboards for whatever items they can spare. These could include clothing, household goods, books and interesting items of bric a brac suitable for sale in Oxfam’s High Street charity shops,” he added.
As a registered charity the UCKG appreciates the importance of keeping operating costs to a minimum. It is therefore particularly pleased to be working with Oxfam, given Oxfam’s excellent track record in this regard, and its considerable resources in some of the world’s most deprived countries, including Haiti, which is the poorest in the western world.
“While the UCKG has a HelpCentre in Haiti, and was exceptionally fortunate in that its pastors and their families in Port au Prince all survived unhurt, we simply do not have the presence in the country or the expertise to help to the extent we would like. We are therefore very pleased to have come to an arrangement with Oxfam and we will be doing all we can to make a significant contribution.” concluded Bishop Pierre.
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Note to editors
UCKG HelpCentres are open daily from 7am until approximately 10pm and can accept gifts for Oxfam throughout that time. The part time ‘Special Works’ branches have shorter opening hours, which are published on the website universalchurch.uk, where respective addresses can also be found.
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are 36 UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or call 020 7686 6033.
